Today I am reviewing this fantastic young adult paranormal fantasy, Phoebe Pope and the Year of Four by Nya Jade.
Series: A Shapers Novel #1
Author: Nya Jade
Publisher: Dreamwell Publishing
Release Date: 30th October 2012
Format: eBook and Kindle
Source: blog tour and self purchase
The students of Green Lane Academy roam their halls unaware that below their manicured campus exists a prestigious school of an entirely different kind . . .
Sixteen-year-old Phoebe Pope has enrolled at the Campus Below: a spy academy for shape-shifters hidden deep beneath the grounds of a boarding school whose humans unknowingly protect it. There, thanks to a carefully planned schedule, she leads a double life: spy trainee Below and normal teenager Above.
As if two course loads, concealing a secret power she alone wields, and coping with her father’s recent death weren’t enough, Phoebe finds herself developing major feelings for actor and teen heartthrob Colten Chase, who attends the Campus Above and appears to be majoring in winning Phoebe’s heart. But when officials learn that Phoebe may be at the center of a startling prophecy, she becomes the target of shape-shifting assassins who will stop at nothing to suppress the truth.
Now Phoebe’s lessons about Shaper’s enemies and spycraft take on great importance as a menace stalks the campus, with Phoebe as its target. Meanwhile, what began as an unlikely relationship with Colten, quickly morphs into heartache when she suspects that something sinister lurks beneath this movie star’s glitter and fame. Suddenly, Phoebe’s caught in a mesh of lies, betrayals, and danger where she doesn’t know who to trust, and needs to rely on herself—and her secret power—to get to the truth and to stay alive.
My Review
WOW, this is such an awesome read. I loved it and couldn't put it down. Being a debut novel for Nya Jade, this book was fantastic and a great introduction to the series. The writing style was fantastic and this book has such a fast pace you don’t realise the pages are turning so quickly. The characters are unique and with each page they evolve and create a world that is like no other. Phoebe Pope is the protagonist and has been unique her whole life. Her mother skipped out on her when she was a child and after being chased by Vigo (shaper bad guys) her Father and Phoebe have a car accident where her Father is caught and killed. Phoebe has scars that run deeper than just her skin and has trouble dealing with leaving her father behind. Now living with her Grandfather, Phoebe is packed off and sent to a boarding school, Green Lane Academy. This school is special; there are two levels, Above and Below. Above is where normal school happens, where humans and shapers attend classes like Maths and English, but it is Below where the real schooling happens for Phoebe. Below is where Phoebe learns how to kill a Vigo and use her elemental powers. The humans don’t know the shapers even exist.
There seems to be a big increase in Vigo activity around the Boston area, where the Academy is located and precautions have been made to make sure Vigo are noticed if they come close. During an initiation event with the new students, an attack takes place and a girl is shot with an arrow, Phoebe is dragged away into the forest by a Vigo and is trying to fight back. All of a sudden another Vigo comes along and fights the Vigo for the prize. Phoebe is free and the Vigo’s leave. Phoebe is astounded, that doesn't normally happen. Who is her saviour?
There is a prophecy, during the year of four, there will ONE that will be able to fight against Vigo and destroy them. This is such a year; there are four students enrolled that are half human and half shaper, called Hyphas. These four students will have special classes to help build their elemental powers and determine who will be the special one.
In the Above campus, there is a celebrity attending school. Colten Chase is causing all sorts of drama with his awesome good looks and popularity with the girls. Phoebe is instantly attracted, but so is every other girl in school. Colten seems to notice Phoebe straight away and pursues her. They get closer each time they spend time together, but Colten seems too perfect, something seems off.
When two of her special classmates are kidnapped, all hell breaks loose and security is upped. Phoebe and the last Hypha are under close security. Phoebe is determined to find out who is behind the kidnappings and why. She follows a lead and sneaks off campus, but of course gets captured.
Can Phoebe escape from the baddies? Will she be able to find out who is behind the kidnappings? What about Colten the hottie, can they be together even though they are from different worlds? Can Phoebe find the other teenagers before they are killed? Who will be the ONE?
This book has it all, betrayals, romance, action, adventure, mystery and magic, oh and don’t forget the hot celebrity, Colten. This is such a creative read and I couldn't help but fall in love with the story and the characters. I really need book two now! I highly recommend this to all readers, it is such a fun and addictive read.
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About the Author
Between writing and performing new music, Nya took a musical sabbatical to focus on writing a novel—an endeavor she found quite daunting, until she began looking at each chapter as a verse in a very long song. Phoebe Pope and the Year of Four is her first novel.
In her free time, Nya enjoys hanging out with family and friends, searching for amazing gluten-free desserts, and bargain hunting for her next pair of funky shoes.
Nya holds a B.A. in Economics and an M.A. in Sociology, both from Stanford University.
Tour Giveaway
The giveaway is for an iPad Mini
Open internationally
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I have seen this one around a bit, who can forget that beautiful cover? You have intrigued me. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed this one, I haven't seen much about it so glad to hear that it has it all. Pheobe sounds like a great main character to read about.
ReplyDeleteBrandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog
I haven't heard of this one, now I have :)
ReplyDeleteMich:D
Oh! Colten sounds intriguing ;) Sounds like a great read!
ReplyDeleteJesse @ Pretty In Fiction
great review! I have this one on my TBR and it looks like I need to move it up.
ReplyDelete